Two 5,000-Ton China Coast Guard Ships Seen Near Senkaku Islands

Interviews with Japan Coast Guard (JCG) officials revealed that on February 1, two 5,000-ton-class China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were operating simultaneously in the contiguous zone just outside Japan's territorial waters around the Senkaku Islands (Ishigaki City, Okinawa Prefecture). Officials said it is extremely rare for vessels of this size to operate at the same time.

Intensifying CCG Activity

The deployment coincided with the fifth anniversary of China's Coast Guard Law. This law purports to authorize the CCG's use of weapons anywhere China claims. Recent activity around the Senkaku Islands has intensified under directives from President Xi Jinping. The simultaneous presence of the two large vessels is seen as part of that broader push, underscoring the ongoing expansion and militarization of China's coast guard fleet.

JCG officials said that of the four CCG vessels confirmed near the Senkaku Islands on February 1, Haijing 2502 and Haijing 2503 were 5,000-ton-class ships. The 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters in Naha added that Haijing 2503 and Haijing 2304 were observed in the area for the first time that day.

*The 5,000-ton-class China Coast Guard vessel Haijing 2503 (photo courtesy of the 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters).*

China has maintained a continuous presence of CCG vessels around the Senkakus since Japan nationalized the islands in 2012. While early deployments were unarmed, the use of vessels equipped with autocannons has become routine in recent years. All four ships confirmed on February 1 were armed with autocannons.

As CCG vessels have grown larger, the length of their continuous operations has also increased. In 2025, navigation in the contiguous zone persisted for 335 consecutive days until October, far surpassing the previous record of 215 days. Vessels in the past would temporarily withdraw during typhoons or rough seas. However, the larger ships are believed to be capable of operating regardless of weather conditions.

Strengthened Response

Japan has also moved to strengthen its security posture. The 11th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters alone cannot handle the situation. Patrol vessels are now being dispatched from across the country to respond to CCG activity.

At the frontline base of the Ishigaki Coast Guard Office in Okinawa Prefecture, large-scale housing and port facilities have been developed. In 2016, two large Japanese patrol vessels entered service, completing a dedicated 14-ship force assigned to Senkaku territorial waters. More than 600 Japan Coast Guard personnel are now stationed in Ishigaki, making it Japan's largest coast guard office.

Looking ahead, the JCG plans to construct two additional large patrol vessels and further strengthen information sharing and coordination with related agencies, including the Ministry of Defense.